Ergonomic mixed reality information delivery system for dynamic workflows

ABSTRACT

The disclosed technology is generally directed to mixed reality devices. In one example of the technology, a mixed-reality view is caused to be provided to an operator. The mixed-reality view includes both a real-world environment of the operator and holographic aspects. While the operator is navigated to a step of the task, the mixed-reality view is caused to include a step card, such that the step card includes at least one instruction associated with the step. The operator is enabled to adjust a state associated with the step card. While the state associated with the step card is a first state: a gaze determination associated with a gaze of the operator is made; and responsive to a positive gaze determination, the step card is caused to move to a location that is associated with a real-world location of the gaze of the operator.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No.62/808,848, filed Feb. 22, 2019, entitled “MIXED REALITY USER INTERFACE”(Atty. Dkt. No. 406130-US-PSP). The entirety of this afore-mentionedapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Typically, mixed reality (MR) refers to a combination of virtual andreal environments to produce new environments and visualizations wherephysical and digital objects co-exist and can be interacted with in realtime. Typically, mixed reality takes place not only in the physicalworld or the virtual world, but includes a mix of elements from realityand virtual reality, encompassing both augmented reality and augmentedvirtuality via immersive technology.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Briefly stated, the disclosed technology is generally directed to mixedreality devices. In one example of the technology, a mixed-reality viewis caused to be provided to an operator. In some examples, themixed-reality view includes both a real-world environment of theoperator and holographic aspects. In some examples, the operator isenabled to navigate among a plurality of steps of a task, such that forat least one step of the plurality of steps of the task, while theoperator is navigated to the step of the task, the mixed-reality view iscaused to include a step card, such that the step card includes at leastone instruction associated with the step. In some examples, the operatoris enabled to adjust a state associated with the step card. In someexamples, while the state associated with the step card is a firststate: a gaze determination associated with a gaze of the operator ismade; and responsive to a positive gaze determination, the step card iscaused to move to a location that is associated with a real-worldlocation of the gaze of the operator.

Other aspects of and applications for the disclosed technology will beappreciated upon reading and understanding the attached figures anddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples of the present disclosure aredescribed with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings,like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the variousfigures unless otherwise specified. These drawings are not necessarilydrawn to scale.

For a better understanding of the present disclosure, reference will bemade to the following Detailed Description, which is to be read inassociation with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a suitableenvironment in which aspects of the technology may be employed;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a suitablecomputing device according to aspects of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example mixed-reality (MR) device;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example system including ahologram device;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operator using an MRdevice; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a process for an MRview, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding of, and enabling description for, various examples of thetechnology. One skilled in the art will understand that the technologymay be practiced without many of these details. In some instances,well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described indetail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of examples ofthe technology. It is intended that the terminology used in thisdisclosure be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even thoughit is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certainexamples of the technology. Although certain terms may be emphasizedbelow, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restrictedmanner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this DetailedDescription section. Throughout the specification and claims, thefollowing terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein,unless the context dictates otherwise. The meanings identified below donot necessarily limit the terms, but merely provide illustrativeexamples for the terms. For example, each of the terms “based on” and“based upon” is not exclusive, and is equivalent to the term “based, atleast in part, on”, and includes the option of being based on additionalfactors, some of which may not be described herein. As another example,the term “via” is not exclusive, and is equivalent to the term “via, atleast in part”, and includes the option of being via additional factors,some of which may not be described herein. The meaning of “in” includes“in” and “on.” The phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in one example,” asused herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment orexample, although it may. Use of particular textual numeric designatorsdoes not imply the existence of lesser-valued numerical designators. Forexample, reciting “a widget selected from the group consisting of athird foo and a fourth bar” would not itself imply that there are atleast three foo, nor that there are at least four bar, elements.References in the singular are made merely for clarity of reading andinclude plural references unless plural references are specificallyexcluded. The term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator unlessspecifically indicated otherwise. For example, the phrases “A or B”means “A, B, or A and B.” As used herein, the terms “component” and“system” are intended to encompass hardware, software, or variouscombinations of hardware and software. Thus, for example, a system orcomponent may be a process, a process executing on a computing device,the computing device, or a portion thereof.

Briefly stated, the disclosed technology is generally directed to mixedreality devices. In one example of the technology, a mixed-reality viewis caused to be provided to an operator. In some examples, themixed-reality view includes both a real-world environment of theoperator and holographic aspects. In some examples, the operator isenabled to navigate among a plurality of steps of a task, such that forat least one step of the plurality of steps of the task, while theoperator is navigated to the step of the task, the mixed-reality view iscaused to include a step card, such that the step card includes at leastone instruction associated with the step. In some examples, the operatoris enabled to adjust a state associated with the step card. In someexamples, while the state associated with the step card is a firststate: a gaze determination associated with a gaze of the operator ismade; and responsive to a positive gaze determination, the step card iscaused to move to a location that is associated with a real-worldlocation of the gaze of the operator.

An operator may wear a wearable mixed-reality device, such as ahead-mounted display mixed-reality device, that provides the operatorwith a mixed-reality view. The mixed-reality device may provide amixed-reality view that includes one or more instructions for each stepof a task to be completed. For each step of the task, a step card may beprovided in the mixed-reality view that indicates one or moreinstructions for the current step of the task. In some examples, themixed-reality view may also include: a three-dimensional hologram thatis associated with the current step of the task, and a holographicvisual tether that connects the step card to the three-dimensionalhologram that is associated with the current step.

The operator may operate with the step card pinned, with the operatorhaving the option to pin the step card to a particular real-worldlocation unless a subsequent command causes the step card to move fromthat location, or the operator may operate with the step card unpinned.In some examples, if the step card is unpinned, the step card may followthe operator to an extent.

For instance, in some examples, the step card remains in a fixedlocation and only follows the operator's gaze when the operatorindicates significant intention to move to a new area. In some examples,there is a safe zone around the card, which may, in some examples, be apie shape or cone shape at a particular angle. In some examples, if theoperator's gaze crosses the threshold of the pie shape, a timer isstarted, such as a two-second timer. In some examples, if the operator'sgaze remains outside of the pie shape for the duration of the timer,then the Step card moves to the new location of the operator's gaze.

The gaze determination is not necessarily limited to the angle of theoperator's gaze, but may also be based on other aspects of theoperator's gaze and/or the operator's head movements. For example, thegaze determination is not necessarily limited to the spot at which theoperator is gazing, but also to where the user's head is relative to thespot at which the operator is gazing. For example, if the operator'sgaze moves to a lower position, the tag-along behavior of the card mayvary depending on whether the user's head remained in the same positionwith the user looking downward at the lower spot, or whether instead theoperator squatted down, keeping his gaze at the same angle but lookingat a lower spot due to the operator's head being at a lower position.

Illustrative Devices/Operating Environments

FIG. 1 is a diagram of environment 100 in which aspects of thetechnology may be practiced. As shown, environment 100 includescomputing devices 110, as well as network nodes 120, connected vianetwork 130. Even though particular components of environment 100 areshown in FIG. 1, in other examples, environment 100 can also includeadditional and/or different components. For example, in certainexamples, the environment 100 can also include network storage devices,maintenance managers, and/or other suitable components (not shown).Computing devices 110 shown in FIG. 1 may be in various locations,including on premise, in the cloud, or the like. For example, computerdevices 110 may be on the client side, on the server side, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, network 130 can include one or more network nodes120 that interconnect multiple computing devices 110, and connectcomputing devices 110 to external network 140, e.g., the Internet or anintranet. For example, network nodes 120 may include switches, routers,hubs, network controllers, or other network elements. In certainexamples, computing devices 110 can be organized into racks, actionzones, groups, sets, or other suitable divisions. For example, in theillustrated example, computing devices 110 are grouped into three hostsets identified individually as first, second, and third host sets 112a-412 c. In the illustrated example, each of host sets 112 a-412 c isoperatively coupled to a corresponding network node 120 a-420 c,respectively, which are commonly referred to as “top-of-rack” or “TOR”network nodes. TOR network nodes 120 a-420 c can then be operativelycoupled to additional network nodes 120 to form a computer network in ahierarchical, flat, mesh, or other suitable types of topology thatallows communications between computing devices 110 and external network140. In other examples, multiple host sets 112 a-412 c may share asingle network node 120. Computing devices no may be virtually any typeof general- or specific-purpose computing device. For example, thesecomputing devices may be user devices such as desktop computers, laptopcomputers, tablet computers, display devices, cameras, printers, orsmartphones. However, in a data center environment, these computingdevices may be server devices such as application server computers,virtual computing host computers, or file server computers. Moreover,computing devices 110 may be individually configured to providecomputing, storage, and/or other suitable computing services.

Although FIG. 1 shows an example of a device in a network environment,not all examples of the disclosure are network devices. That is, someexamples of the disclosure are capable of operating as connected devicesthat communicate with one or more networks, and some example of thedisclosure are not capable of connecting to a network.

Illustrative Computing Device

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating one example of computing device 200 inwhich aspects of the technology may be practiced. Computing device 200may be virtually any type of general- or specific-purpose computingdevice. For example, computing device 200 may be a user device such as adesktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a displaydevice, a camera, a printer, or a smartphone. Likewise, computing device200 may also be server device such as an application server computer, avirtual computing host computer, or a file server computer, e.g.,computing device 200 may be an example of computing device 110 ornetwork node 120 of FIG. 1. Computing device 200 may also be an IoTdevice that connects to a network to receive IoT services. Likewise,computer device 200 may be an example any of the devices illustrated inor referred to in FIGS. 3-6, as discussed in greater detail below. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, computing device 200 includes processing circuit210, operating memory 220, memory controller 230, data storage memory250, input interface 26 o, output interface 270, and network adapter280. Each of these afore-listed components of computing device 200includes at least one hardware element.

Computing device 200 includes at least one processing circuit 210configured to execute instructions, such as instructions forimplementing the herein-described workloads, processes, or technology.Processing circuit 210 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller,a graphics processor, a coprocessor, a field-programmable gate array, aprogrammable logic device, a signal processor, or any other circuitsuitable for processing data. Processing circuit 210 is an example of acore. The aforementioned instructions, along with other data (e.g.,datasets, metadata, operating system instructions, etc.), may be storedin operating memory 220 during run-time of computing device 200.Operating memory 220 may also include any of a variety of data storagedevices/components, such as volatile memories, semi-volatile memories,random access memories, static memories, caches, buffers, or other mediaused to store run-time information. In one example, operating memory 220does not retain information when computing device 200 is powered off.Rather, computing device 200 may be configured to transfer instructionsfrom a non-volatile data storage component (e.g., data storage component250) to operating memory 220 as part of a booting or other loadingprocess.

Operating memory 220 may include 4th generation double data rate (DDR₄)memory, 3rd generation double data rate (DDR₃) memory, other dynamicrandom-access memory (DRAM), High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), Hybrid MemoryCube memory, 3D-stacked memory, static random-access memory (SRAM), orother memory, and such memory may comprise one or more memory circuitsintegrated onto a DIMM, SIMM, SODIMM, or other packaging. Such operatingmemory modules or devices may be organized according to channels, ranks,and banks. For example, operating memory devices may be coupled toprocessing circuit 210 via memory controller 230 in channels. Oneexample of computing device 200 may include one or two DIMMs perchannel, with one or two ranks per channel. Operating memory within arank may operate with a shared clock, and shared address and commandbus. Also, an operating memory device may be organized into severalbanks where a bank can be thought of as an array addressed by row andcolumn. Based on such an organization of operating memory, physicaladdresses within the operating memory may be referred to by a tuple ofchannel, rank, bank, row, and column.

Despite the above-discussion, operating memory 220 specifically does notinclude or encompass communications media, any communications medium, orany signals per se.

Memory controller 230 is configured to interface processing circuit 210to operating memory 220. For example, memory controller 230 may beconfigured to interface commands, addresses, and data between operatingmemory 220 and processing circuit 210. Memory controller 230 may also beconfigured to abstract or otherwise manage certain aspects of memorymanagement from or for processing circuit 210. Although memorycontroller 230 is illustrated as single memory controller separate fromprocessing circuit 210, in other examples, multiple memory controllersmay be employed, memory controller(s) may be integrated with operatingmemory 220, or the like. Further, memory controller(s) may be integratedinto processing circuit 210. These and other variations are possible.

In computing device 200, data storage memory 250, input interface 260,output interface 270, and network adapter 280 are interfaced toprocessing circuit 210 by bus 240. Although, FIG. 2 illustrates bus 240as a single passive bus, other configurations, such as a collection ofbuses, a collection of point to point links, an input/output controller,a bridge, other interface circuitry, or any collection thereof may alsobe suitably employed for interfacing data storage memory 250, inputinterface 260, output interface 270, or network adapter 280 toprocessing circuit 210.

In computing device 200, data storage memory 250 is employed forlong-term non-volatile data storage. Data storage memory 250 may includeany of a variety of non-volatile data storage devices/components, suchas non-volatile memories, disks, disk drives, hard drives, solid-statedrives, or any other media that can be used for the non-volatile storageof information. However, data storage memory 250 specifically does notinclude or encompass communications media, any communications medium, orany signals per se. In contrast to operating memory 220, data storagememory 250 is employed by computing device 200 for non-volatilelong-term data storage, instead of for run-time data storage.

Also, computing device 200 may include or be coupled to any type ofprocessor-readable media such as processor-readable storage media (e.g.,operating memory 220 and data storage memory 250) and communicationmedia (e.g., communication signals and radio waves). While the termprocessor-readable storage media includes operating memory 220 and datastorage memory 250, the term “processor-readable storage media” (whetherin the plural or singular form), throughout the specification and theclaims, is defined herein so that the term “processor-readable storagemedia” specifically excludes and does not encompass communicationsmedia, any communications medium, or any signals per se. However, theterm “processor-readable storage media” does encompass processor cache,Random Access Memory (RAM), register memory, and/or the like.

Computing device 200 also includes input interface 260, which may beconfigured to enable computing device 200 to receive input from users orfrom other devices. In addition, computing device 200 includes outputinterface 270, which may be configured to provide output from computingdevice 200. In one example, output interface 270 includes a framebuffer, graphics processor, graphics processor or accelerator, and isconfigured to render displays for presentation on a separate visualdisplay device (such as a monitor, projector, virtual computing clientcomputer, etc.). In another example, output interface 270 includes avisual display device and is configured to render and present displaysfor viewing. In yet another example, input interface 260 and/or outputinterface 270 may include a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter(“UART”), a Serial Peripheral Interface (“SPI”), Inter-IntegratedCircuit (“I₂C”), a General-purpose input/output (GPIO), and/or the like.Moreover, input interface 260 and/or output interface 270 may include orbe interfaced to any number or type of peripherals.

In the illustrated example, computing device 200 is configured tocommunicate with other computing devices or entities via network adapter280. Network adapter 280 may include a wired network adapter, e.g., anEthernet adapter, a Token Ring adapter, or a Digital Subscriber Line(DSL) adapter. Network adapter 280 may also include a wireless networkadapter, for example, a Wi-Fi adapter, a Bluetooth adapter, a ZigBeeadapter, a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) adapter, or a 5G adapter.

Although computing device 200 is illustrated with certain componentsconfigured in a particular arrangement, these components and arrangementare merely one example of a computing device in which the technology maybe employed. In other examples, data storage memory 250, input interface260, output interface 270, or network adapter 280 may be directlycoupled to processing circuit 210, or be coupled to processing circuit210 via an input/output controller, a bridge, or other interfacecircuitry. Other variations of the technology are possible.

Some examples of computing device 200 include at least one memory (e.g.,operating memory 220) adapted to store run-time data and at least oneprocessor (e.g., processing unit 210) that is adapted to executeprocessor-executable code that, in response to execution, enablescomputing device 200 to perform actions.

Illustrative Systems

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system (300).System 300 may include network 330, as well MR device 311, computingdevices 315, and cloud back-end 360, which may each connect to network330.

MR device 311 and computing devices 315 may each include an example ofcomputing device 200 of FIG. 2. Although two computing devices 315 areillustrated in FIG. 3, in various examples, there may be one computingdevice 315, three or more computing devices 315, and/or the like.Application back-end 360 refers to a device, or multiple devices such asa distributed system, that may assist in providing functionality to MRdevice 311 and/or computing device 315 via communication over network330. FIG. 3 and the corresponding description of FIG. 3 in thespecification illustrates an example system for illustrative purposesthat does not limit the scope of the disclosure.

Network 330 may include one or more computer networks, including wiredand/or wireless networks, where each network may be, for example, awireless network, local area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN),and/or a global network such as the Internet. On an interconnected setof LANs, including those based on differing architectures and protocols,a router acts as a link between LANs, enabling messages to be sent fromone to another. Also, communication links within LANs typically includetwisted wire pair or coaxial cable, while communication links betweennetworks may utilize analog telephone lines, full or fractionaldedicated digital lines including T1, T2, T3, and T4, IntegratedServices Digital Networks (ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs),wireless links including satellite links, or other communications linksknown to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, remote computers andother related electronic devices could be remotely connected to eitherLANs or WANs via a modem and temporary telephone link. Network 330 mayinclude various other networks such as one or more networks using localnetwork protocols such as 6LoWPAN, ZigBee, or the like. Some devices maybe connected to a user device via a different network in network 330than other devices. In essence, network 330 includes any communicationtechnology by which information may travel between MR device 311,computing devices 315, and cloud back-end 360. Although each device orservice is shown connected as connected to network 330, that does notmean that each device communicates with each other device shown. In someexamples, some devices/services shown only communicate with some otherdevices/services shown via one or more intermediary devices. Also,although network 330 is illustrated as one network, in some examples,network 330 may instead include multiple networks that may or may not beconnected with each other, with some of the devices shown communicatingwith each other through one network of the multiple networks and otherof the devices shown communicating with each other with a differentnetwork of the multiple networks.

Each computing device 315 may perform various functions in conjunctionwith MR device 311, and each computing device 315 may be capable ofcommunicating over network 330 with MR device 311 and cloud back-end360. As discussed in greater detail below, one of the computing devices315 may be used to assist in the creation of guides for MR device 311,and/or the like.

MR device 311 may include any suitable MR device such as a wearablemixed-reality device. Some examples of MR device 311 may be ahead-mounted display unit connected to an adjustable inner headband.Some examples of MR device 311 may include a self-contained holographiccomputer that enables a user to engage with digital content and interactwith holograms while simultaneously viewing the real world. Someexamples of MR device 311 may include cameras, processors, lenses, 3Daudio speakers, a battery, and various specialized components such asmultiple sensors, advanced optics, and a custom holographic processingunit. Some examples of MR device 311 may include physical buttons on theside which may be pressed to actuate various functions.

Some examples of MR device 311 may communicate with cloud back-end 360to provide certain functions associated with MR device 311. Otherexamples of MR device 311 provide full functionality within MR device311 without requiring communication with cloud back-end 360, and cloudback-end 360 is not included in system 300 in some examples. In someexamples, MR device 311 is network-connected, and in other examples, MRdevice 311 is not network-connected.

MR device 311 may allow a user to simultaneously view the real world andvirtual objects. The user may also be able to manipulate the virtualobjects in various ways. The user may also be able to view applicationsin the mixed-reality view provided by MR device 311.

System 300 may include more or less devices than illustrated in FIG. 3,which is shown by way of example only.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of computing device 10, which may beemployed as an example of MR device 311 of FIG. 3 and/or computingdevice 200 of FIG. 2. In the example computing device 10 of FIG. 4, thecomputing device 10 is a head-mounted display (HMD) device. Theillustrated computing device 10 takes the form of a wearable visor, butit will be appreciated that other forms are possible, such as glasses orgoggles, among others. The computing device 10 may include a housing 438including a band 440 and an inner band 442 to rest on a user's head. Thedisplay 12 of the computing device 10 may include the at least partiallysee-through display 434. The at least partially see-through display 434may be a stereoscopic display and may include a left panel 446L and aright panel 446R as shown, or alternatively, a single panel of asuitable shape. The panels 446L, 446R are not limited to the shape shownand may be, for example, round, oval, square, or other shapes includinglens-shaped. The computing device 10 may also include a shield 448attached to a front portion 450 of the housing 438 of the computingdevice 10. The at least partially see-through display 434 and/or theshield 448 may include one or more regions that are transparent, opaque,or semi-transparent. Any of these portions may further be configured tochange transparency by suitable means. As such, the computing device 10may be suited for both augmented reality situations and virtual realitysituations.

A controller 460 of the computing device 10 may include a logicsubsystem 462, a storage subsystem 464, and a communication subsystem466. The logic subsystem 462 may include one or more processors 432configured to execute software instructions. A processor of the one ormore processors 432 may an example of processing circuit 210 of FIG. 2,and the storage subsystem 464 may include an example of operating memory220 of FIG. 2.

In some examples, the processor 432 of the computing device 10 isoperatively coupled to the display panels 446R and 446L and to otherdisplay-system componentry. In some examples, the processor 432 includeslogic and associated computer memory configured to provide image signalsto the display panels 446R and 446L, to receive sensory signals from asensor system 452, and to enact various control processes describedherein. The sensor system 452 may include one or more location sensors428, one or more optical sensors 436, a gaze detection system 454, oneor more microphones 456, as well as one or more speakers 458. One ormore optical sensors 436 may include one or more cameras. The processor432 may be further configured to provide signals to the sensor system452.

Display 12 may be configured to display holograms superimposed on aphysical environment. Display 12 may be a stereo display that is atleast partially see-through, and the hologram may be positioned toappear at a desired depth and position within the user's field of view.Alternatively, in some examples, display 12 includes a display of aportable camera-equipped computing device and the image may besuperimposed on an image of the physical environment captured by thecamera. In some examples, the processor 432 is configured to store arepresentation of the physical environment 30 in non-volatile memory 16.The processor 432 may be configured to generate the representation ofthe physical environment based on inputs received from a sensor system452.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example system (500) including hologram device 501and computing devices 515. Each of the computing devices 515 may be anexample of computing device 200 of FIG. 2 and/or one of the computingdevices 110 of FIG. 1. Although two computing devices 515 areillustrated in FIG. 5, in various examples, there may be one computingdevice 515, three or more computing devices 515, and/or the like. Insome examples, hologram device 501 is a computing device that, amongother things, provides means for a user to view and interact withholograms. Hologram device 501 may, for instance, be a mixed realitydevice, such as MR device 311 of FIG. 3 or MR device 10 of FIG. 4.Hologram device 501 may be an example of computing device 200 of FIG. 2,MR device 311 of FIG. 3, and/or computing device 10 of FIG. 4.

Hologram device 501 may include one or more processors 510, operatingmemory 520, display 512, and guides application 509. One or moreprocessors 510 may be configured to execute instructions, such asinstructions for implementing the herein-described workloads, processes,or technology. The instructions may include guide application 509. Theaforementioned instructions, along with other data (e.g., datasets,metadata, operating system instructions, etc.), may be stored inoperating memory 520 during run-time of hologram device 501. Display 512may be configured to display holograms to a user of hologram device 501.In some examples, hologram device 501 is a head-mounted displaymixed-reality device, or other wearable mixed-reality device.

Many aspects of hologram device 501 are discussed below that may be usedin conjunction with each other, or separately. That is, some examplesmay include all of the aspects of hologram device 501 discussed below,some examples may include but one of the aspects of hologram device 501discussed below, and some example may include some, but not all, of theaspects of hologram device 501 discussed below. Further, while manyaspects of hologram device 501 are discussed in the context of guidesapplication 509, the aspects are not limited to use with guidesapplication 509, and may be applied to various functions provided byhologram device 501 outside of guides application 509. Some examples ofhologram device 501 do not include guides application 509, and variousof the aspects may be used by hologram device 501 even though hologramdevice 501 does not include guides application 509. Each computingdevice 515 may perform various functions in conjunction with guidesapplication 509, such as the authoring and editing of guides, and/or thelike.

Step cards may be used with hologram device 501 in a variety ofdifferent contexts. One particular context in which the step cards maybe used is with guides application 509.

Guides application 509, responsive to execution in hologram device 501,may be a mixed-reality application that provides guidance with realworld activities via holograms. For instance, in some examples, guidesapplication 509 may provide holographic instructions when and where theyare needed. This may be used to enable an operator to receivestep-by-step instructions on new tasks, may act as a checklist for atask that is familiar to the operator, or the like. In some examples,each task is divided into steps. While performing the task using guidesapplication 509, for each step of the task, a holographic step card maybe provided to the operator as part of the mixed reality view, where thestep card may include an instruction for the current step of the task.The holographic step card may be a two-dimensional hologram or athree-dimensional hologram. The mixed-reality view may also include atether that connects the step card for the current step of the task to atether location for the current step of the task.

In various example applications for which hologram device 501 is used, avisual tether is used to connect to a tether location, which is areal-world location at which work is to be performed, at which part ofthe task is to be performed, or at which some similar step or action isto be performed. At digital object may also exist at the tetherlocation. In some examples, the visual tether connects from the stepcard to the tether location, where the instruction on the step card isassociated with something to be done at the tether location. In someexamples, the tether is a holographic dashed white line that connectsthe step card to the tether location. In these examples, although thetether is a line, the line is typically curved. In some examples, theoperator of hologram device 501 can read the instruction on the stepcard, and then follow the tether from the step card to the tetherlocation. The operator may also use the tether by following the tetherto return to the tether location at any time, for example, after theuser's attention is distracted. The tether location may also include a3D hologram associated with the work, task, action, or step that theuser is to perform at the tether location.

The step card may include various buttons that the user can activate toperform various functions. For instance, in some examples, the user maybe able to use the step card to navigate through various steps of thetask, such as through a next step button, a go back button, and othermeans. The step card may also in some way indicate which step the useris currently on. The step card may include one or more buttons to turnon and off media associated with the step card, such as pictures orvideo that may assist the operator in performing the step. The step cardmay include a button to pin or unpin the step card to a particularlocation. The step card may follow the user's gaze to an extent whileunpinned, as discussed in greater detail below. Various options andcommands for the step card may be actuated in different ways indifferent examples, such as through gestures, gaze, and/or voicecommands, as discussed in greater detail below.

In some examples, guides application 509 may enable increasedproductivity in a workforce by enabling the workforce to learn whiledoing their work. For instance, some examples of guides application 509enable employees to learn in the flow of work by providing holographicinstructions when and where they need them. Guides application 509 maybe used in a variety of different contexts, including performing anoperation, such as assembly in a manufacturing setting as but oneexample. In some examples, step cards act as a series of step-by-stepinstruction cards with image and video support, where each step card isvisually tethered to the tether location for the step, the real-worldplace where the work needs to be done for the step. In some examples,additional guidance in the form of holographic models shows what needsto be done where, so workers can get the job done faster, with fewererrors and greater retention of learned skills, and help reduce thecognitive load of workers.

Guides application 509 may provide authoring tools for the creation andadding of guides to be subsequently used by used to complete the processfor which the authored guide provides guidance. In some examples, workprocesses are captured using the authoring tool to create guides, which,in some examples, are files that include step-by-step instructions withimages, video, and/or 3D holograms.

In some examples, the authoring tools may be used to create or partiallycreate the guides on one of the computing devices 515, which may be adevice separate from hologram device 501, and then the guides can betransferred to hologram device 501, to complete the guides, and forsubsequent use of the guides by operators. In some examples, an authorcan use the author tools to create a guide on one of the computingdevices 515, which may be a personal computer or other computing device.Using the author tools, in some examples, an author can begin authoringa guide using the author tools on one of the computing devices 515,transfer the guide to hologram device 501, and then, using guideapplication 509 via hologram device 501, connect the step cards andholograms to the physical work space using hologram device 501 by simplypicking up and moving the step cards and holograms to the correctlocations. In some examples, files, including the guide, aresynchronized across several devices, including computing device 515 andhologram device 501, so that, rather than explicitly transferring thefile from computing device 515 to hologram device 501, the guide willalso be present on hologram device 501 via the file synchronization.

Guides application 509 may enable an improved training system.Typically, training occurs away from the flow of work in a trainingfacility, and then requires a buddy system with experienced mentors tobring workers up to speed. Typically, some complex procedures are notneeded regularly, and just-in-time training is needed. Typically, taskcards and standard operating procedures are on paper or a 2D device thatrequires an operator to read, process, and then do.

In contrast, guides application 509 may enable operators to learn a taskor be informed of updated instructions while in the flow of work. Guidesapplication 509 may be used for complex procedures on the job or whiletraining away from the production line, providing heads-up, hands-free,step-by-step instruction in the flow of work. Guides application 509 mayenable operators to control the interface with their gaze—for example,using a glance to move to the next step—leaving their hands free to dothe work.

In some examples, step cards move with the worker, following them asthey move around equipment, pointing to the tools and parts they needand showing them exactly how and where to apply them. In some examples,the experience is comfortable, simple to use, and may reduce mentalprocessing time, errors, and the need to rely on a buddy system. In someexamples, using a guide via guides application 509, an operator canconfidently work through steps of the associated process using areliably anchored and ergonomic interface.

In some examples, a user may use a holographic guide via guidesapplication 509 using hologram device 501 as follows. In some examples,the user may first calibrate hologram device 501. The calibration may beused to ensure that holograms are properly aligned to the environment.For instance, a guide might be used to assemble a door in a commercialaircraft. Without proper calibration, a user might drill a hole in thewrong place or assemble the wrong part. In some examples, guidesapplication 509 may include multiple applications, including acalibration application. In some examples, the calibration applicationmay lead the user though the calibration process step by step. In someexamples, the user's interpupillary distance (IPD) may be determined aspart of the calibration, or the IPD may be set prior to the calibration.

In some examples, one or more of gaze, gestures, and/or voice commandsmay be used to navigate through a guide, including navigating throughsteps of a task of a guide.

In some examples, a guide may be navigated by gazing at an item, wherethe item may be, for example, an app, menu, or button. In some examples,the user's gaze may be in the center of the user's view, and indicatedvia a visual indicator such as a cursor dot or the like. In someexamples, dynamic cursors visuals may be used for the gaze cursor whensuitable. For instance, in some examples, when the user's gaze is on abutton, the gaze cursor is replaced with a spotlight effect on thatbutton. In some cases, a user can select an item by gazing at aselection box. In some examples, the select does not occur immediately;rather, a selection is made responsive to a user's gaze dwelling in theselection box. For instance, in some examples, when the user's gazeenters a selection box, a dwell timer begins, and the selection is madeif the user's gaze remains in the box for the entirety of the dwelltimer.

In some examples, when the user's gaze enters the selection box, the boxbegins filling to indicate a select in progress, and the item isselected when the box is filled, which occurs if the gaze remains in thebox for the entirety of the dwell timer, with the filling box providingthe user with a visual display of the dwell timer. In some examples, asound is also provided while the box is being filled to indicate that aselection is in process. Selection of an item via gaze may be extremelyhelpful the user's hands are occupied with tools or parts. In someexamples, when a selection box on the Step card is being filled, it isensured that the Step card does not move.

In other cases, a user may use gaze to target an object, and then act onthe target with a gesture. In some examples, a bloom gesture may be usedto open or close a pre-determined menu, such as the high-level menu fora guide. In these examples, when a user is uncertain of what to do, thebloom gesture may be a good way for the user to get oriented. In oneexample, to do the bloom gesture, the user will hold out the user's handwith the user's palm up and fingertips together, and then the user opensthe user's hand.

In some examples, as discussed above, an app or other hologram may beselected in multiple ways, including with a gesture. In some examples,the air tap gesture may be used to open a hologram. In some examples, auser may select a hologram with an air tap by gazing at a hologram,holding the user's hand straight in front of the user in a loose fist,and then pointing the user's index finger straight up toward theceiling, then tapping the user's finger down, and then quickly raisingthe user's index finger back up again.

In some examples, a user can interact with the holographic environmentin different ways, which may vary based on user preferences, or based onthe particular circumstances. For example, in some circumstances, auser's hands may not be free to perform gestures, and in somecircumstances, the environment be too noisy for voice commands. Forinstance, in some examples, to perform a selection, a user may use anair tap gesture, may use a voice command (such as saying “select”), ormay select with gaze (such as by moving the user's gaze to thecorresponding selection box and leaving it there until the selection boxif filled). In some examples, a user may say “Next step” to go to thenext step, as an alternative to selecting the “next step” button. Insome examples, selectable buttons may also include an indication of thevoice command that may be used to select the button. For instance, insome examples, the “Next Step” button includes text at the bottom of theNext Step button that says, “Say ‘Next Step.’”

In some examples, an operator of hologram device 501 may begin usinghologram device 501 to perform tasks by first calibrating hologramdevice 501, and then opening a guide. In some examples, once a guide isopen, the guide first contains alignment instructions. The operator maythen align the guide by following the alignment instructions. Aligningthe guide may be used to ensure that the holographic instructions lineup with the real-world environment. In some examples, some guides mayinclude a marker alignment, which uses a hologram marker that looks justlike a printer marker that is in the real-world environment. In someexamples, the operator aligns the guide by finding the printed marker inthe real-world environment, aligning the hologram marker with theprinted marker, and then confirming the alignment.

In some examples, the alignment may be accomplished with a manualalignment rather than a marker alignment. In some examples, to performmanual alignment, the operator uses a gesture to align the guide to adigital 3D representation laid over a physical object in the work area.For instance, in some examples, if the author of the guide chose manualalignment when the author created the guide, the operator would align ahologram with a digital 3D representation of the same object in the realworld.

In some examples, after an operator opens a guide, and performsalignment, if necessary, the operator will then see the first Step cardof the guide that is provided as a hologram as part of the mixed-realityview. In some examples, the Step cards provides the instructions that anoperator follows to complete a task. In some examples, the Step cardalso includes, among other buttons, two buttons used to navigate througha guide—the Next Step and Go Back buttons. In some examples, once anoperator completes a step, the operator can select the Next Step buttonto go to the next step, and so on, until all of the steps in the guideare completed. In some examples, each step has a corresponding Step cardthat includes one or more instructions for that step. In some examples,as the operator goes through the steps in a task, the Step card “tagsalong” with the operator via hologram device 501 to keep theinstructions in a location that is useful to the operator.

In some examples, in addition to the Next Step and Go Back buttons, theStep card includes a number of different buttons and user interface (UI)elements to help the operator take various actions.

In some examples, the Step card includes a Task/Guide progress bar. Insome examples, the Task/Guide progress bar indicates where the operatoris within a task, and within the entire guide. In some examples, theoperator can leave a task midway (by using the bloom gesture) and comeback to the same position in the guide during a run. In some examples,progress is saved during this step and the operator can start from wherethe operator left off, unless the operator closed the application.

One example of a description of the buttons and other UI elements on theStep card are as follows, with some of the function discussed in moredetail elsewhere:

Button or UI element Description Home Choose a different guide SettingsAccess to settings. Profile Sign in and out. Alignment Realign yourguide. Hologram device 501 may sometimes lose tracking, which causesholograms to be misaligned. To fix this, you can realign the guide bygazing at a printed marker or digital 3D representation again. Pin Lockthe Step card in place. This is useful if you want to keep the Step cardin one location while you complete the step or task. Outline Go to theOutline. Use the Outline to quickly navigate around your guide.Task/Guide Shows where you are within a task, and within the entireprogress guide. Media Close the image or video associated with the step.(If there's an image or video associated with a step, it appearsautomatically when you go to that step.)

In some examples, Step cards are linked by holographic tethers tophysical areas in the work area. In some examples, a tether is aholographic link that ties a step visually to an area, object, or thelike that is relevant to the step. A tether may help the operator findthe area where the operator needs to take an action. In some examples,the tether is a holographic dashed white line leading from the step cardto an area, object, or the like that pertains to the step indicated onthe Step card. The operator may follow the tether to find the physicalarea where the operator needs to do the work, and then, once the work iscompleted, or when the operator needs to refer back to the step, followthe tether back to the Step card to read the instructions. If the tetherpoints behind the operator, then the operator may step to the side andthen continue to follow the tether.

In some examples, the tether serves to tether instructions to the realworld. In this way, in these examples, an operator may follow the tetherin order to look at what the instructions are referring to in the realworld. Instructions may also be useful if an operator returns to thetask—the operator may follow the tether to return to a work area. Thetether may link the Step card to the tether location—the real-worldlocation at which work is to be performed for the step. There may alsobe a three-dimensional hologram at the tether location. For instance, ifa part is to be installed in a machine during the step, the tether mayconnect the step card to the location where the part is to be installed,with, at the location, a three-dimensional hologram of the part that isto be installed, as the part will appear once the part has beeninstalled.

In some examples, as default behavior, wherever the operator looks, theStep card follows the operator's gaze—that is, the Step card “tagsalong” with the operator's gaze. In this way, the operator does not haveto worry about where the instructions are while working. In someexamples, the Step card only follows the operator's gaze when theoperator indicates significant intention to move to a new area. This maybe accomplished in different ways in different examples. In someexamples, the card does not move when the operator is in the process ofselecting buttons on the card. In some examples, there is a safe zonearound the card, which may, in some examples, be a pie shape or coneshape at a particular angle. In some examples, the safe zone isdynamically adjusted based on one or more factors. For instance, in someexamples, the safe zone may be adjusted based on whether other content,such as media, is present.

In some examples, if the operator's gaze crosses the threshold of thesafe zone, a timer is started. In some examples, if the operator's gazeremains outside of the safe zone for the duration of the timer, then theStep card moves to the new location of the operator's gaze. In oneexample the timer may be a two-second timer, and in other examples,other suitable durations for the timer may be used.

The gaze determination is not necessarily limited to the angle of theoperator's gaze, but may also be based on other aspects of theoperator's gaze and/or the operator's head movements. For example, thegaze determination is not necessarily limited to the spot at which theoperator is gazing, but also to where the user's head is relative to thespot at which the operator is gazing. For example, if the operator'sgaze moves to a lower position, the tag-along behavior of the card mayvary depending on whether the user's head remained in the same positionwith the user looking downward at the lower spot, or whether instead theoperator squatted down, keeping his gaze at the same angle but lookingat a lower spot due to the operator's head being at a lower position.

In some examples, certain rules are used for the Step card regardless ofthe Step card's movement. For instance, in some examples, the Step cardis prevented from moving while a selection box on the Step card isfilling as a result of gaze. In some examples, the instruction card iskept at a minimum forwards distance threshold from the operator. Forinstance, in some examples, the minimum forwards distance threshold maybe the minimum focal distance away from the operator, such as at least2.1 meters away from the operator according to one example. Forinstance, in some examples, if the operator moves closer to the Stepcard than the minimum forwards distance threshold, the Step card willmove backward to maintain the minimum distance.

In some examples, the entire Step card is kept in the operator's viewwhen appropriate. As discussed above, the Step card may be left out ofthe operator's view when the operator's gaze has moved but the operatorhas not indicated an intention to move the operator's view to a newarea. In some examples, it is ensured that, whenever the Step card isout of the operator's view, wherever the operator looked last, it isensured that the Step card is already be there where the operator lookedlast, or be moved into the operator's view after a short period of timeresponsive to the operator returning the user's view to the locationwhere the operator looked last.

In some examples, if the operator moves backward, a determination willbe made as to whether the instruction card is in the operator's view. Ifso, in these examples, a determination is made as to whether thedistance from the operator to the Step card is greater than a particularthreshold, such as 3.1 meters. If so, in these examples, the Step cardis moved toward the operator so that that the Step card is a distanceequal to the minimum forwards distance.

Some previous examples above involved a safe zone, that may be a coneshape or the like, in which a timer begins responsive to the operator'sview leaving the safe zone, and in which the Step card moves into theoperator's current view responsive to the operator's view remainingoutside of the safe zone for a threshold period of time. However, insome examples, horizontal rotation and vertical rotation are treateddifferently. For instance, in some examples, responsive to the view ofoperator rotates horizontally more than a threshold number of degrees, atimer starts, and responsive to the view of the operator remainingbeyond the threshold horizontal angle for a determined period of time,the Step card moves to the center of the user's view. In some examples,responsive to the operator's view rotating vertically by more than avertical angle threshold, the horizontal angle threshold is deactivated.In some examples, the threshold horizontal angle is 29.5 degrees, andthe threshold vertical angle is 3 degrees. In some examples, thethreshold angles may be fixed, and in other examples, the thresholdangles may be dynamic. As discussed above, in some examples, thedetected angle is determined not just based on a change of the gazeposition, but also on head movement. For instance, some examples, if theuser's gaze is on a lower position because the user squatted down, butthe user is looking at the same angle, this does not count as a changein vertical angle of the user's view. In contrast, in these examples, ifthe user's head remains in the same position but the operator's gaze ison a lower spot, this counts as a change in the vertical angle of theuser's view.

In some examples, responsive to the operator squatting more than aparticular distance such that the user's gaze is in a correspondinglylower position, a timer begins. In some examples, responsive to aparticular time expiring with the operator still so squatting, the Stepcard moves to the new position of the user's gaze. In some examples, thetimer for squatting is different than the timer for horizontal location.The thresholds for squatting, including the squatting distance and thetimer, may be fixed or dynamic in various examples.

In some examples, the operator can pin the Step card to turn off thetag-along feature, so that the Step card will not follow the operator'sgaze while the Step card is pinned. In some examples, to pin the Stepcard, the operator selects the Pin button. In some examples, the pinaction can be selected in various ways, such as selecting the Pin buttonby gaze, selecting the Pin button by gesture, or by voice command. Insome examples, once the Step card is pinned, the operator can grab theStep card and move the Step card. For instance, in some examples, theoperator can move the Step card by using a tap-and-hold to place theStep card in a new location. In some examples, while the Step card ispinned, even though the Step card remains in the same location unlessthe operator selects and moves it, the Step card stays in the samelocation but rotates to face the operator.

In some examples, there is a command that can be used “beckon” or“summon” a pinned Step card to the operator's location. For instance, insome examples, if the operator says, “instructions,” the step card willappear at the location of the operator's current gaze, even if the stepcard is pinned. In some examples, once pinned, the card remains in thesame location, correlated to the real world, until there is an operatorcommand to the contrary, such as an operator command to beckon the card,to move the card, or to unpin the card. In some examples, no matterwhere the operator pins or beckons the instructions, the tether from theinstructions to the corresponding real-world location remains tetheredto the real-world location.

In some examples, the operator can turn holograms off (or turn them backon), for example if the operator feels like a hologram is getting in theway. In some examples, an operator can turn off a hologram by gazing atthe “eye” in the middle of the tether.

One example of use of hologram device 501 is illustrated in FIG. 6. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 6, an operator 680 is wearingmixed-reality (MR) device 601. Mixed-reality device 601 is an example ofhologram device 501 that is a wearable, head-mounted displaymixed-reality device. Via MR device 601, in the example illustrated inFIG. 6, the operator can see step card 671, picture 672, 3D hologram673, and tether 674, all superimposed on a real-world environment. Insome examples, tether 674 tethers step card 671 to the location in thereal-world environment where work is to be performed for the currentstep. Step card 671 may include Next Step button 681, Go Back button682, Media button 683, Task Progress bar 684, and instructions 685.

Next Step button 681 may be used to proceed to the next step in thetask. Go Back button 682 may be used to go to the previous step in thetask. Media button 683 may be used to toggle and off media, such aspictures, video, and/or other media present for the step. For the stepillustrated in FIG. 6, media button 683 may be used to toggle on and offpicture 672. In some examples, task progress 684 indicates how far alongthe current step is in the task. FIG. 6 shows but one example of a stepcard, and other examples may include more or less buttons than shown inFIG. 6. For example, as discussed above, some examples of the step cardmay include a pin button that may be used to pin or unpin the step card.Instructions 685 are instructions associated with the current step ofthe task, which is related to 3D hologram 673 at the tether location,where tether 674 is connected between step card 671 and the tetherlocation.

3D hologram 673 is an example of a three-dimensional hologram at thetether location, which is the real-world location where work is to beperformed in the real-world environment for the current step in thetask. As shown in FIG. 6 in accordance with one example, tether 674 is avisual tether from Step card 671 to the tether location.

Returning to FIG. 5, although guides provided by guides application 509may be useful for relative beginners, one or more guides may also beuseful to experts. For instance, an expert may benefit from turning offholograms and/or tethers, but still using a checklist. The checklist maybe particularly useful, even for an expert, particularly for use with acomplex task for which it is crucial not to miss any steps.

In some examples, the authoring of guides for guides application 509 maybe accomplished with the use of two applications: one application on oneof the computing devices 515, and guides application 509 in authoringmode. In some examples, an author may start with an application on oneof the computing devices 515, using the application to create the guide,choose an alignment method, add tasks and steps, write the instructionsfor the steps, and assign different types of assets to support thosesteps. In some examples, these supporting assets may include: 3D parts;3D objects, such as objects from the 3D toolkit (arrows and numbers, forexample); 2D media (images and videos); and/or the like.

In some examples, after creating the guide on an application oncomputing device 515, the author may use guides application 509 onhologram device 501 in Authoring mode to test the flow of the guide,assign holographic tethers to show operators where to focus, placeholograms in the real world, and add styles to 3D objects (such as awarning or caution, for example).

The author may also choose an alignment method for the guide. Alignmentmay refer to the process of gaining an understanding of the world aroundthe user and accurately placing holographic instructions in relation totheir work. In some examples, calibration takes into account the user'sinterpupillary distance (a number that varies across individuals) thatfurther improves alignment. In some examples, if marker alignment isselected, the author attaches a printed marker to a physical object inthe real world. In some examples, if manual alignment is selected, theuser imports a 3D representation (such as a CAD model or scanned model),and then lays the representation directly over a physical object in thereal world. Independent from the method used for alignment, thefollowing additional factors may impact the accuracy of the alignmentand/or user perception of the alignment: the Interpupillary distance(IPD) setting, pre-scanning the environment, and device positioning. TheIPD is the distance between the center of the user's pupils, which maybe set on hologram device 501, as discussed in greater detail above.

Pre-scanning the environment may be accomplished by hologram device 501actively scanning its environment for visible features to create maps ofits surroundings. In some examples, hologram device 501 pre-scans theenvironment whenever the hologram device 501 is turned on and a user issigned in to hologram device 501. In some examples, hologram device 501constantly improves the accuracy of these maps as it scans theenvironment from different viewpoints and stores them on the device. Insome examples, holograms are placed in relation to these maps. In someexamples, the more accurate the map, the more accurate the hologramplacement.

In some examples, before using Guides on a hologram device 501 that isunfamiliar with its environment, the user may wish to put on hologramdevice 501, sign into hologram device 501, and walk around the spacewhere hologram instructions are placed or will be placed. In someexamples, walking at a leisurely pace while slowly looking up and downwill give the device the opportunity to find features and constructaccurate maps. In some examples, this only need be done once for eachenvironment because hologram device 501 stores the maps it created onthe hologram device 501.

In some examples, after selecting an alignment method, the author mayuse the Outline page, which may be used to create the framework for theguide by adding as many tasks and steps as needed. In some examples,tasks are groups of steps; steps are the short, discrete work items thatoperators do to complete the task; and steps are the central buildingblocks for guides. In some examples, a special step called a Completionstep as the last step of the guide lets operators know when they'vereached the end of the guide. In some examples, the tasks, and the stepsfor each task, are entered on the Outline page. In some examples, inaddition to tasks and steps, the Outline page shows customizableoperator instructions.

In some examples, steps can be created directly on the outline page, orfrom a Step card page. In some examples, in the Step card page, theauthor writes the instructional text and assigns supporting assets forthat step, such 3D content or media (e.g., image, audio, and/or video).In some examples, when the author views the guide on hologram device 501in Authoring mode, the author will be able to see all of the assets thatare associated with the steps, and can then use the authoring mode placethe assets in their relevant spaces in the real world. For instance, insome examples, if an author assigns a pointer to a step in theapplication on one of the computing devices 515, the author cansubsequently align that pointer to the thing that the author wishes topoint to in the authoring mode of guides application 509 of hologramdevice 501. The author may place one or more instances of 3d models inspace.

In some examples, once the author has finished the creating all of thesteps on the application of one of the computing devices 515, the authorcan then take the next major step to creating the guide on hologramdevice 501, in Authoring mode of guides application 509. In enteringAuthoring mode, the author may align the guide, test the flow of theguide, add holographic tethers to visually tie the steps to physicalobjects in the real world, place holographic 3D content in the relevantcorresponding spaces in the real world, and may, if desired, add stylesto 3D content to add treatments such as a warning or caution. In someexamples, the author can add visual design, including color, size, styleselection, and other tools, including the selection of the color andsize of holograms.

After aligning the guide, the author may test the flow of the wholeguide to see how the guide flows. As the author steps through the guide,the author may make note of things be changed in the guide. For example,as a result of stepping through the guide, the author may wish to movesome steps around, add tasks or steps, or add more supporting assets,and the author may wish to make these changes on one of the computingdevices 515 before starting to place holograms, tethers, and styles.

In some examples, the author may choose pre-determined locations for thestep card, for each step while authoring, and the author may choose, ifpreferable based on the space, a particular position for the step cardrather than the position being determined more dynamically, by usingpre-determined pinning of the card for each step.

When placing holograms, the author may walk through each step in theguide and place any assets that the author associated with that stepwhen it was authored on one of the computing devices 515. For example,if the author added a 3D part to support a step, the author may placethat 3D part over the part's physical counterpart in the real world. Ifthe author added a 3D object from the 3D toolkit (an arrow or a number,for example), the author may place that object in an appropriate placein the real world to draw the operator's focus. In some examples, theauthor can place the same 3D part or 3D object as many times as desired.

In some examples, no further actions are necessary with regard toassociated media such as video or audio, which will automatically appearwhen the operator goes to the step. In some examples, the user canselect the Media button to close the image, video, or other media.

In some examples, the 3D assets associated with each step appear belowthe Step card. In some examples, to place them in the real world, theauthor may manipulate holograms as discussed elsewhere, such as viagestures. Tethers may be placed in the real-world environment, forexample via gestures. Similarly, styles may be applied to holograms.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example dataflow for a process (790) for an MRview. In some examples, process 790 is performed by a device, such asdevice 200 of FIG. 2, MR device 311 of FIG. 3, computing device 10 ofFIG. 4, hologram device 501 of FIG. 5, or MR device 6 m of FIG. 6.

In the illustrated example, step 791 occurs first. At step 791, in someexamples, a mixed-reality view is caused to be provided to an operator.In some examples, the mixed-reality view includes both a real-worldenvironment of the operator and holographic aspects. As shown, step 792occurs next in some examples. At step 792, in some examples, theoperator is enabled to navigate among a plurality of steps of a task,such that for at least one step of the plurality of steps of the task,while the operator is navigated to the step of the task, themixed-reality view is caused to include a step card, such that the stepcard includes at least one instruction associated with the step. Asshown, step 793 occurs next in some examples. At step 793, in someexamples, the operator is enabled to adjust a state associated with thestep card.

As shown, decision block 794 occurs next in some examples. At block 794,in some examples, a gaze determination associated with a gaze of theoperator is made. If the determination at decision block 794 isnegative, the process may then proceed to the return block, where otherprocessing is resumed. If instead the determination at decision block794 is positive, the process may proceed to step 795. At step 795, insome examples, responsive to the positive gaze determination, the stepcard is caused to move to a location that is associated with areal-world location of the gaze of the operator. The process may thenadvance to the return block.

CONCLUSION

While the above Detailed Description describes certain examples of thetechnology, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter howdetailed the above appears in text, the technology can be practiced inmany ways. Details may vary in implementation, while still beingencompassed by the technology described herein. As noted above,particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the technology should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects with which that terminology is associated. Ingeneral, the terms used in the following claims should not be construedto limit the technology to the specific examples disclosed herein,unless the Detailed Description explicitly defines such terms.Accordingly, the actual scope of the technology encompasses not only thedisclosed examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing orimplementing the technology.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a device including at least onememory adapted to store run-time data for the device, and at least oneprocessor that is adapted to execute processor-executable code that, inresponse to execution, enables the device to perform actions, including:causing a mixed-reality view to be provided to an operator, wherein themixed-reality view includes both a real-world environment of theoperator and holographic aspects; and enabling the operator to navigateamong a plurality of steps of a task, such that for at least one step ofthe plurality of steps of the task, while the operator is navigated tothe step of the task: causing the mixed-reality view to include a stepcard, such that the step card includes at least one instructionassociated with the step; enabling the operator to adjust a stateassociated with the step card; and while the state associated with thestep card is a first state: making a gaze determination associated withat least one of a gaze of the operator or head movements of theoperator; and responsive to a positive gaze determination, causing thestep card to move to a location that is associated with a real-worldlocation of the gaze of the operator.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the gaze determination is a determination as to whether at leastone of the gaze of the operator or the head movements of the operatorhave indicated a significant intention of the operator to operate withthe gaze of the operator in a new real-world location.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the gaze determination is, at least in part, adetermination as to whether the gaze of the operator has exited a safezone area that includes the step card, and remained outside of the safezone area for a threshold amount of time.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the gaze determination is based upon both the gaze of theoperator and a head position of the operator.
 5. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the gaze determination includes a determination as to whethera horizontal rotation associated with the gaze of the operator hasexceeded a threshold horizontal angle, and remained beyond the thresholdhorizontal angle for a threshold amount of time.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the gaze determination includes a determination as towhether a user has squatted at least a threshold distance, and remainedsquatting at least the threshold distance for a threshold amount oftime.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the step card is included ina plurality of step cards, wherein the plurality of step cardscorrespond to the plurality of steps, and wherein the actions furtherinclude, while the operator is navigated to a step of the plurality ofsteps, causing the mixed-reality view to include the corresponding stepcard of the plurality of step cards.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the device is a wearable mixed-reality device that includes ahead-mounted display.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein enabling theoperator to navigate among the plurality of steps of the task includesenabling the operator to navigate among the plurality of steps of thetask via at least one of gaze, gestures, or voice commands from theoperator.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, the actions further includingcausing the mixed-reality view to further include: a three-dimensionalhologram that is associated with the step, and a holographic tether thatconnects the step card to the three-dimensional hologram that isassociated with the step.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst state of the step card is an unpinned state, and wherein theactions further include, while the step card is a pinned state, causingthe step card to remain in a fixed real-world location until caused tomove responsive to a command by the operator.
 12. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the command by the operator is a gesture to move the stepcard.
 13. A method, comprising: causing a mixed-reality view to beprovided to an operator, wherein the mixed-reality view includes both areal-world environment of the operator and holographic aspects; andenabling the operator to navigate among a plurality of steps of a task;causing the mixed-reality view to include a step card, such that thestep cards includes at least one instruction associated with a step ofthe plurality of steps to which the operator is currently navigator; andwhile the step card is a first state: making a gaze determinationassociated with a gaze of the operator; and responsive to a positivegaze determination, causing the step card to move to a location that isassociated with a real-world location of the gaze of the operator. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein the gaze determination is adetermination as to whether the gaze of the operator has indicated asignificant intention of the operator to operate with the gaze of theoperator in a new real-world location.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein the first state of the step card is an unpinned state, themethod further comprising: while the step card is a pinned state,causing the step card to remain in a fixed real-world location untilcaused to move responsive to a command by the operator.
 16. The methodof claim 13, wherein causing the mixed-reality view to be provided tothe operator is accomplished via a wearable mixed-reality device thatincludes a head-mounted display.
 17. A processor-readable storagemedium, having stored thereon process-executable code for computernetwork design, that, upon execution by at least one processor, enablesactions, comprising: enabling an operator of a mixed-reality device toview a step card that is associated with a step of a task, such that theoperator can simultaneously view a real-world environment, the stepcard, and at least one three-dimensional hologram; enabling the operatorto cause the step card to toggle between a pinned state and an unpinnedstate; and while the step card is in an unpinned state, making adetermination as to whether the operator has indicated an intention tomove to a new area in the real-world environment, and responsive todetermining that the operator has indicated an intention to move to thenew area, causing the step card to move to the new area.
 18. Theprocessor-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the actionsfurther include, while the step card is a pinned state, causing the stepcard to remain in a fixed real-world location until caused to moveresponsive to a command by the operator.
 19. The processor-readablestorage medium of claim 17, wherein the mixed-reality device is awearable mixed-reality device that includes a head-mounted display. 20.The processor-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein enabling theoperator to toggle between a pinned state and an unpinned state enablingthe operator to toggle between a pinned state and an unpinned state viaat least one of gaze, gestures, or voice commands from the operator.